Chapter 3

 HUNTER WESTERN 

"Youngest CEO Travis Blackwood engages Carter heiress."

Hunter Western watched the live stream on his tablet with gritted teeth in his limousine.

Every headline on every entertainment channel said the same thing.

“Youngest CEO in the Country Gets Engaged” 

Hunter let out an enraged grunt, he came back for Ashley after nine years but she was getting engaged the night he dropped from the airport. 

Across from him, his best friend and assistant, Mason, was watching the news too. "They're calling him the youngest CEO because nobody knows you're back."

"They'll find out soon enough" Hunter’s jaw clicked from gritting his teeth too hard. 

At eighteen, Hunter had taken over Western Global after his father suffered a stroke.

Most people thought he had disappeared but he had spent the last nine years overseas rebuilding an empire that had nearly collapsed.

Western Global has now become one of the most valuable corporations in the world.

And tonight… He had returned home for Ashley only to see her getting engaged to Western global rival, the Blackwood.

His eyes remained fixed on the woman standing beside Travis Blackwood.

Ashley Carter. She looked breathtaking in silver. Back when they were teenagers, she'd always mention wearing a silver dress. 

Back when she'd slipped a silver promise ring onto Hunter's finger beneath the old oak tree overlooking the lake.

"I'll wait for you," she whispered.

Hunter slowly reached into his coat pocket. The ring was still there.

He had carried it ever since then.

Mason noticed. "You seriously still have that?"

"I never throw away promises."

He sighed. "She was sixteen, Hunter. She's obviously moved on now. She's getting married to your worst enemy in fact.” 

The words made Hunter's blood boil, his heartbeat raced. He needed a drink, "Driver."

"Yes, sir."

"Take us to Creek Bar. Mason, book us reservations.” 

...

The city's wealthiest families went to Creek Car because privacy couldn't be bought anywhere else.

It had to be earned, no reporters, no influencers, no ordinary customers.

Just old money and people powerful enough to make headlines disappear.

The hostess shivered at the sight of his enraged face, jaw set in stone, eyes as cold as ice. "Mr. Western.”

She escorted Hunter and Mason to the private VIP section overlooking the city skyline.

A shaky waiter poured them whiskey. Everyone feared Hunter's aura. 

Hunter began to drink, glass after glass of whiskey while Mason didn't even touch his drink, he only watched Hunter. 

The jazz music playing in the background almost drowned out the sound of someone laughing loudly near the bar. 

Hunter, in his drunk irritated state, turned to see who had such a loud laughter and everything inside him froze.

Ashley. She was still wearing her silver engagement dress but she was wet from head to toe and had cuts on her arms, her silver dress was a complete mess. Her hair stuck to her face and mascara stained her cheeks.

A total contract to the Livestream Hunter had seen, what went wrong?!. 

Ashley looked exhausted, and broken, but she still held her head high as she gulped down a bottle of vodka.  

Hunter jumped to his feet. The way he staggered slightly surprised him because he barely got drunk but he didn't have time for himself at the moment. 

"Where are you going?" Mason asked but got no reply. 

Hunter crossed the lounge in long strides. 

Before Ashley could drink again, Hunter took it from her hand.

Her head snapped toward him. "What the hell?"

"You've had enough.” 

She frowned. "And who exactly are you?"

Hunter's heart clenched, she doesn't even remember him?. 

She reached for another bottle but Hunter slid it farther away.

She glared at him, "Mind your own business."

"You've already emptied half the bar."

"You look like you emptied the other half," She folded her arms.

She tried reaching around me for another bottle but Hunter caught it first.

She let out an exasperated groan. "Are you stalking me?"

"No."

"Then leave me alone” she yelled. For the first time, she looked directly into Hunter's eyes. The heartbreak there was impossible to miss.

"You don't know anything about me. My fiancé. My family. My home. My stupid first love.” 

Hunter's heart clenched with hope, she still remembered him but didn't recognize him. 

Her voice remained steady. Only her eyes betrayed her. "They all disappeared in a single night."

She reached for another drink but Hunter caught her wrist gently. 

She stared at his hand before pulling away. "I don't need your pity."

Ashley stood abruptly. The room spun and she stumbled sideways.

Hunter caught her before she hit the floor. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

"I said..." Her eyelids fluttered. "...I'm..."

Her voice turned to a gasp as Hunter carried her upstairs and laid her carefully on the bed in one of the private suites he booked. 

Her slender fingers wrapped around Hunter's body. 

Before he could react, Ashley shifted in her sleep and instinctively tugged.

Caught off balance, he stumbled forward.

The mattress dipped beneath his weight as he fell onto the bed beside her.